Thursday, November 1, 2012

There's no beating the Blues: Ramires (left) and Chelsea team-mates react after his extra-time goal

After all the controversy of Sunday, Chelsea and Manchester United reconvened at Stamford Bridge and produced a humdinger of a Capital One Cup tie: a treat to savour rather than a trick on a rainy Hallowe'en night.
It had its moments of controversy, of course; plenty of them. We even had some of the terrace banter that is so often missing from clashes between the top clubs. But more than anything it was an enjoyable, exciting cup tie.

Anderson and substitute Nick Powell were plusses for United, who also saw 38-year-old Giggs play the full 120 minutes, while Victor Moses was influential for Chelsea before Ramires and Oscar began to run the show when they were introduced in the second half.
That it was Sturridge who gave Chelsea the lead for the first time in this match, however, was something of a surprise given his overall performance.
With Fernando Torres suspended following his red card on Sunday, this was Sturridge’s first start for Chelsea this season — and the perfect opportunity to show his ability in the central striking role he craves.

Here's how it all started: Oriel Romeu (centre) is dispossessed by Anderson, leading to the opening goal

Easy as that: Romeu (second right) can't get back as Ryan Giggs is left free to score past a defenceless Petr Cech

Noses in front: United celebrate after Giggs (centre, partly obscured) gave them the lead at Stamford Bridge

No mistake: David Luiz stepped up to haul Chelsea level from the penalty spot with a low, powerful shot

On target: Blues defender Luiz celebrates after equalising from the penalty spot

Yet the 23-year-old was initially comfortably marshalled by United’s young central defensive pairing of Scott Wootton and Michael Keane. It was Moses who looked far more accomplished, outmuscling Alexander Buttner after half an hour to win his side a penalty, which David Luiz converted.
Chelsea had gone behind in bizarre circumstances in the 22nd minute. After a free-kick from Buttner went wide, Petr Cech played a short pass to Oriol Romeu, who was dispossessed by Anderson.
Giggs was the lucky recipient and the Welshman scored by the time Luiz had ambled back on to the pitch.

Chelsea's nemesis: Javier Hernandez celebrates scoring at Stamford Bridge for the second time in four days

Deadly: The Mexican striker showed his predatory instincts with a fine finish late in the first half

Rising high: Gary Cahill (third left) leaps unmarked to head in Chelsea's second goal of the night

Eye for goal: Chelsea centre-back Cahill celebrates his goal in the second half at the Bridge

The Brazil defender played more of a role in United’s second goal, taking the ball up field before watching it cannon back into Chelsea’s half. With the centre half stranded, Hernandez exploited the huge gap to score his fourth goal in three games in the 43rd minute. This one, however, was definitely not offside.
United’s young defence seemed to be in control, but Chelsea were level seven minutes after the restart as Gary Cahill powered home a header from a Mata corner.
After looking as if he would rather be anywhere but Stamford Bridge, Nani suddenly burst into life to score United’s third. A smart one-two with Anderson saw the winger burst into space and finish with his right foot. Cech was left to collect the bottle that was hurled on to the pitch.

Making his point: Nani (right) celebrates with Anderson after scoring Manchester United's third goal

Top class: Nani chips the ball into the net over Petr Cech's despairing dive to put United 3-2 in front

Back from the dead: Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard celebrates scoring in the dying seconds of normal time

Held his nerve: Hazard (17) scores from the penalty spot deep into injury time to force another 30 minutes

Di Matteo pushed for an equaliser. Cesar Azpilicueta was closed down in a promising position at the far post and then Chelsea appealed for a penalty when Mata’s shot hit Keane’s hand. Fourth official Mike Dean got a mouthful from Di Matteo but Lee Mason was unmoved.
The referee, however, was apparently only prolonging the drama. In the fourth minute of stoppage time he pointed to the spot after Wootton bundled over Ramires. Hazard converted with the coolest of right-foot strikes down the middle and, finally, Chelsea were in the ascendency.
Sturridge wasted another glorious chance but, eventually, he converted an opportunity, taking the ball round Anders Lindegaard in the 97th minute after a misjudged header back from Wootton.

Dan's the man: Daniel Sturridge (right) celebrates after handing Chelsea the lead in extra-time

Keane was then perhaps fortunate to receive only a yellow card for pulling back the Chelsea striker before Ramires danced through United’s defence to put the match beyond doubt. Even then, Giggs converted a penalty after Azpilicueta was judged to have fouled Hernandez.
Chelsea’s prize is a trip to Elland Road to face Leeds, and former owner Ken Bates, in the quarter-finals. Leeds manager Neil Warnock said he was ‘disgusted’ by Chelsea accusing Clattenburg of making ‘inappropriate comments’ this week. You get the impression that might be an exciting Cup tie, too.

Nail in the coffin: Ramires (centre right) rounds off a superb move to seal the deal for Chelsea

And that's the end of that: Giggs slots home from the penalty spot in the final seconds of extra time